ANALYSIS OF THE LEVELS AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO POLICE MISCONDUCT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ENUGU STATE

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges globally, particularly in the enforcement of public health measures. In Enugu State, Nigeria, the enforcement of these measures by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) led to a notable increase in police misconduct, raising concerns about the underlying factors contributing to this deviance. This study aimed to analyze the levels of police misconduct during the pandemic in Enugu State and to identify the key factors that influenced such behavior. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys and in-depth interviews from 527 residents across selected local government areas in Enugu State. The study revealed that the level of police misconduct during the COVID-19 pandemic in Enugu State was notably high, with 54.6% of respondents indicating an increase in misconduct. Corruption was identified as the most prevalent form, with 43.3% of respondents perceiving it as the dominant type of misconduct during the enforcement of COVID-19 safety measures. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced training, stronger oversight mechanisms, and the implementation of community policing strategies to mitigate misconduct and restore public trust in law enforcement. These recommendations aim to inform policy reforms that will improve police accountability and effectiveness, particularly in times of crisis